A bireflective lens element comprising a light input surface and a direct transmitting area communicating with the light input surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface for projecting light into the lens element to create a light emitting assembly. A first portion of input light is directed through the lens elements in a first predetermined pattern. A primary and a secondary reflecting area is between the light input surface and an illumination surface surrounding the direct light transmitting area. A second portion of input light is redirected through the lens element to the illumination surface in a second predetermined pattern. Specifically, the secondary reflective area has a plurality of extracting facets extending inwardly into the secondary reflective area for intercepting light from the primary reflective area. The first predetermined pattern combines with the second predetermined pattern to output light from the illumination surface in a substantially uniform pattern covering the broad area of the lens element.
|
26. A light emitting assembly for use in a vehicle comprising,
a bireflective lens element including a primary reflective area and a secondary reflective area, said primary reflective area redirects light through said lens element and into said secondary reflective area in a predetermined pattern, said secondary reflective area includes a plurality of extracting facets extending inwardly into said secondary reflective area for intercepting light from said primary reflective area, and said facets each include a substantially curved surface for redirecting light from said primary reflective area outwardly away from said bireflective lens element to an illumination surface.
1. A bireflective lens element comprising:
a light input surface, a direct light transmitting area defining a first section of said lens element and communicating with said light input surface to direct a first portion of input light through said lens element in a first predetermined pattern illuminating said first section of said lens element, an illumination surface extending from said direct light transmitting area and substantially surrounding said direct light transmitting area to define a second section of said lens element, and a primary and a secondary reflecting area disposed between said light input surface and said illumination surface to redirect a second portion of input light through said lens element toward said illumination surface in a second predetermined pattern illuminating said second section of said lens element, wherein said first and second portions of the input light create uniform illumination over the lens element.
18. A light emitting assembly for use in a vehicle comprising,
a bireflective lens element including a light input surface and a light source adjacent to said light input surface for projecting light into said lens element, a direct light transmitting area defining a first section of said lens element and communicating with said light input surface to direct a first portion of input light through said lens element in a first predetermined pattern illuminating said first section of said lens element, an illumination surface extending from said direct light transmitting area and substantially surrounding said direct light transmitting area to define a second section of said lens element, and a primary and secondary reflective area disposed between said light input surface and said illumination surface to redirect a second portion of input light from said light input surface toward said illumination surface in a second predetermined pattern illuminating said second section of said lens element, wherein said first and second portions of said input light create uniform illumination over the lens element.
2. An assembly as set forth in
3. An assembly as set forth in
4. An assembly as set forth in
5. An assembly as set forth in
6. An assembly as set forth in
7. An assembly as set forth in
8. An assembly as set forth in
9. An assembly as set forth in
10. An assembly as set forth in
11. An assembly as set forth in
12. An assembly as set forth in
13. An assembly as set forth in
14. An assembly as set forth in
15. An assembly as set forth in
16. An assembly as set forth in
17. An assembly as set forth in
19. An assembly as set forth in
20. An assembly as set forth in
21. An assembly as set forth in
22. An assembly as set forth in
23. An assembly as set forth in
25. An assembly as set forth in
27. An assembly as set forth in
28. An assembly as set forth in
29. An assembly as set forth in
30. An assembly as set forth in
31. An assembly as set forth in
32. An assembly as set forth in
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This patent application claims priority to and all the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/055,240, filed on Aug. 12, 1997 and entitled "Bireflective Lens Element".
The subject invention relates to a thin light emitting assembly, and more particularly, to a thin bireflective lens which achieves efficient and uniform surface illumination with only a single light source and the lens element.
Conventional light emitting assemblies for automotive vehicle headlights, sidelights and taillights typically include a bulb filament recessed in a reflector housing behind a cover lens. The light emitted from the bulb filament is reflected from the reflector housing outwardly through the cover lens to form a beam or planar light image. The cover lens shapes the light into the desired pattern, i.e. focused headlight beam or pattern side or rear signal. However, conventional bulb and reflector lighting systems are disadvantageous in terms of styling and size flexibility. The bulb and reflector require a significant depth and width to acquire desired focus and light dispersion through the cover lens, thus, limiting the ability to streamline and contour the light system.
Other systems have been developed to provide alternatives to the conventional bulb filament and reflector system utilizing a light pipe and collimator to direct the light to a reflective emitter having a plurality of lens facets to redirect the light in the desired path and a pattern. One such system is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,792 to Jiao et al., issued Mar. 30, 1993.
The Jiao et al. '792 patent, however, has a number of deficiencies. One such deficiency is the lighting design creates a "black" area or shadow in the middle of the lens. This is created because light is not permitted to travel through a deflector which is mounted to the center of the assembly. Other deficiencies are that the design is not rotationally symmetric, and not easily compatible with a light emitting diode.
The subject invention is a bireflective lens element comprising a light input surface and a direct transmitting area communicating with the light input surface. A first portion of input light is directed through the lens elements in a first predetermined pattern. A primary and a secondary reflecting area is between the light input surface and an illumination surface surrounding the direct light transmitting area. A second portion of input light is redirected through the lens element to the illumination surface in a second predetermined pattern.
The subject invention also incorporates a light source adjacent to the light input surface for projecting light into the lens element which creates a light emitting assembly.
Further, the subject invention includes the secondary reflective area having a plurality of extracting facets extending inwardly into the secondary reflective area for intercepting light from the primary reflective area. The facets each include a substantially parabolic surface for redirecting light from the primary reflective area outwardly away from the bireflective lens element to the illumination surface.
Accordingly, the subject invention incorporates the advantages of a thin light emitting assembly while eliminating any "black" area or shadow within the lens. Further the subject invention incorporates a novel design for the facets to assist in redirecting the light from a light source toward the illumination surface.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bireflective lens element according to the present invention showing a central primary reflective area and eight discreet secondary reflective areas surrounding the central primary reflective area as well as virtual portions of the secondary reflective areas shown in phantom lines;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the lens element of FIG. 1 taken through the line 2--2 with a cross-section of a pillow lens added as an enhancement to the bireflective lens element of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area within the circle 3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by line 4--4 in FIG. 2 showing a light emitting diode structure and mounting posts of the bireflective lens element according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the facets;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a rear window of a motor vehicle with a center high mounted stop lamp incorporating bireflective lens elements according the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of a dual bireflective lens element optic structure;
FIG. 8 is a transverse cross sectional view of a bireflective lens element according to the present invention in conjunction with a light spreading pillow lens showing the bireflective lens element tilted slightly with respect to the pillow lens;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bireflective lens element according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-section of another alternate embodiment of the bireflective lens element according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-section of yet another alternate embodiment of the bireflective lens element according to the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-section of another alternate embodiment of the bireflective lens element according to the present invention.
For convenience in the following description, various directional or other spatial references are made with regard to the orientation of structure(s) shown in the drawings. It is understood, however, that such references, including, without limitation, upper, lower, top, bottom, front, back, left, right, vertical, horizontal, lateral, or longitudinal, are made for convenience only and should not necessarily be construed to be limiting on the invention described herein.
A bireflective lens element according to the present invention is generally designated by reference number 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Lens element 10 includes a light input surface 12, a primary reflective area 14, preferably having a direct light transmitting area 16 centrally located therein, a secondary reflective area 18 surrounding primary reflective area 14, an illumination, or output, surface 20, and edges 22, 24, 26, and 28.
The bireflective lens element of the present invention is preferably molded of an optic quality plastic, such as acrylic/PMMA or a polycarbonate.
The function of lens element 10 is to take light emitted from a single light source, such as a light emitting diode ("LED") structure generally indicated at 30, and redirect the light so that the light is emitted from the illumination surface 20 in a direction substantially normal to the surface 20. Specifically, a first portion of input light passes through the direct light transmitting area 16 of the lens element 10 in a first predetermined pattern. A second portion of input light is redirected through the lens element 10 to the illumination surface 20 in a second predetermined pattern. More specifically, the second portion of input light is emitted through the light input surface to the primary reflection area which redirects the input light toward the secondary reflective area. The input light is then redirected again from the secondary reflective area toward the illumination surface. The first predetermined pattern combines with the second predetermined pattern to output light in a substantially uniform or desired pattern.
This surface illumination may be accomplished by an ultra thin lens element. Angular spreading of the light emitted from surface 20 may be accomplished by another optical element, such as an array of pillow lenses, designated generally by reference number 32 as shown in FIG. 2 and further described hereinbelow.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the light source 30 is shown as a conventional LED structure, which includes an LED 34 and associated electrical leads (not shown) encapsulated in an epoxy body structure which comprises base portion 36 and domed portion 38. The domed portion 38 may be tailored so as to achieve specific output characteristics.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the LED or LED's may be mounted on a carrier (not shown) that provides support and mounting structure for the LED (s) and may also include circuitry for powering and controlling the LED(s).
As shown in FIG. 2, the primary reflective area 14 comprises a primary reflective surface 40, preferably in the form of a revolved curved or generally parabolic surface, and secondary reflective area 18 comprises a plurality of extracting facets 42 and adjacent step downs 44. More specifically, the secondary reflective area 18 includes a plurality of facets 42 extending inwardly into the second reflective area 18 for intercepting light from the primary reflective area 14 and redirecting the light toward the illumination surface 20.
As represented schematically by the arrow designated by reference letter "A", the lens element 10 takes light from the light source 30 which enters through the input surface 12 on the back side of the element 10 and reflects the light by total internal reflection off the primary reflective surface 40 toward the plurality of extracting facets 42 of the secondary reflective area 18. The primary reflective surface 40 redirects light in a direction that is radially outward and generally parallel to the output surface 20. From the extracting facets 42, the light is again reflected by total internal reflection toward the illumination surface 20 of the element 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, each extracting facet 42 is preferably oriented at an angle θ=45° with respect to a normal "N" to the output surface 20 so that extracted light is substantially normal to the surface 20. The twice-reflected light which is emitted from the illumination surface 20 is thus substantially collimated.
The primary reflective area 14 preferably includes a peripheral step down 46 extending about the perimeter of the revolved primary reflective surface 40. This step down 46 may be formed with a small draft angle to facilitate molding.
Details of the preferred embodiment of the extracting facets 42 and step downs 44 of the secondary reflective area 18 are shown in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, the extracting facets 42 can be formed by multiple sets of 45° facets and associated step downs 44 that are revolved about a common axis extending through the center of the primary reflective area 14. The common axis about which the facets 42 and step downs 44 are revolved is the optical axis of the lens element 10.
The facets 42 can be designed with the step downs 44 tilted slightly away from normal "N" by a draft angle α. The draft angle α provides relief to facilitate removal of the element from a mold and may be of almost any value although it is presently contemplated to employ a draft angle a of about 5°. The step downs interconnect a trailing edge of a facet to a leading edge of an adjoining facet.
In the embodiment shown, the step downs 44 are sized and oriented so that the faceted profile starts from an-outside edge of the flat portion of the input surface 12 and would extend to the illumination surface 30 had the element 10 not been truncated at edges 24 and 28. This design feature is shown in FIG. 2 in phantom as a "virtual" secondary reflective area having extracting facets 42' and associated step downs 44' which extend to the virtual illumination surface 20'.
As shown by the reference line labelled "P" the step downs 44 and 44' and facets 42 and 42' are oriented along a linear base profile. Curved base profiles, such as concave or convex profiles, however, can also be used.
Because light contacting the primary reflective surface 40 is redirected laterally toward the extracting facets 42, it can be appreciated that the output of the lens 10 will be defined by illumination surface 20 with a dark circular portion in the middle thereof due to the shadow cast by primary reflective area 14. To minimize the shadowing caused by the primary reflective area 14, it is preferred that direct transmitting area 16 be provided at the center of the primary reflective area 14. As shown by the arrow generally designated by reference letter "B", light transmitted from the light source 30 which enters through the input surface 12 and contacts the direct transmitting area 16 is transmitted directly through the lens element 10, thus providing illumination in the shadow region of the primary reflective area 14 and providing a substantially uniform or broad area of illumination of the lens element 10.
Direct transmitting area 16 is preferably a flat area defining the base of the primary reflective surface 40 but may comprise a hole formed through the center of the primary reflective area 14 or some type of directly transmitting lens structure, such as a concave, convex, or fresnel lens. The lens structure collimates light directly through the lens element.
The secondary reflective area 18 may be defined by a set of extracting facets 42 and associated facet step downs 44 revolved 360° about the primary reflective area 14, and the shape of the lens element 10 may be rectangular of any aspect ratio, square, round, or some other shape. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the element 10 is rectangular with the longer dimension defining a longitudinal direction and the shorter dimension defining a transverse direction.
To create a lens element 10 with a rectangular shape, the extracting facets are divided into discreet pie-shaped regions, or sectors, each of which comprises a truncated revolved arc. In the presently preferred embodiment, eight discreet sectors, progressing clockwise in FIG. 1 from the far right, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62, are provided as farther described below.
The element 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a right side secondary reflective area 48. In addition, virtual right side reflective area 48' is shown in phantom to show the extent to which reflective area 48 would extend if the facet profile were permitted to extend from the input surface 12 out to the virtual illumination surface 20' (see FIG. 2). Virtual illumination surface 20' is a virtual extension of actual illumination surface 20.
Similarly, a left side secondary reflective area is generally designated by reference number 56 and the associated virtual left side reflective area is shown in phantom and generally designated by reference number 56'.
Upper secondary reflective area and the associated virtual upper secondary reflective area are designated by reference numbers 60 and 60', respectively. Lower secondary reflective area and the associated virtual lower secondary reflective area are generally designated by reference numbers 52 and 52', respectively.
The upper right secondary reflective area and the associated virtual upper right secondary reflective area are generally designated by reference numbers 62 and 62', respectively. The lower right secondary reflective area and the associated virtual lower right secondary reflective area are generally designated by reference numbers 50 and 50', respectively.
The upper left secondary reflective area and the associated virtual upper left secondary reflective area are generally designated by reference numbers 58 and 58', respectively. Finally, the lower left secondary reflective area and the associated virtual lower left secondary reflective area are generally designated by reference numbers 54 and 54', respectively.
For each discreet secondary reflective area, the associated virtual reflective area represents the extent to which that reflective area would extend radially outwardly to the virtual illumination surface 20' if the facet profile were not truncated at an edge of the lens element 10.
As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the lens element 10 is preferably symmetrical about vertical and horizontal axes extending through its center. That is, right side secondary reflective area 48 is a mirror image of left side secondary reflective area 56, upper secondary reflective area 60 is a mirror image of lower secondary reflective area 52, and the upper right 62, lower right 50, upper left 58, and lower left 54 secondary reflective areas are all mirror images of one another.
It can also be appreciated from FIG. 1, as represented by the associated virtual secondary reflective areas, that the slope of the facet profile varies among the discreet secondary reflective regions. For example, right virtual secondary reflective area 48' extends further radially outwardly then upper right and lower right virtual secondary reflective areas 62' and 50', respectively, which extend further radially outwardly than upper and lower virtual secondary reflective areas 60' and 52', respectively. Thus, the slope of the facet profile of the upper and lower secondary reflective areas 60 and 52, respectively, is steeper than that of the remaining secondary reflective areas, and the slope of the facet profile of the upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left secondary reflective areas, 62, 50, 58, and 54, respectively, is steeper than the slope of the facet profile of the left and right secondary reflective areas 56 and 48, respectively, but is shallower than the facet profile slope of the upper and lower secondary reflective areas 60 and 52, respectively.
As the angle θ of the reflecting facet is preferably 45° and the draft angle α is preferably about 5°, the profile of the secondary reflecting area is changed by varying the length of individual step downs 44, although the length of individual facets 42 may also be varied if desired.
The uniformity of the surface illumination from the illumination surface 20 is dependent upon the input light being symmetrically directed about the primary reflective surface 40. Accordingly, it is preferred that the light source 30 be disposed at the horizontal and vertical center of the primary reflective area 14, (i.e., on the optic axis of lens element 10) as an off center position can result in a portion of the primary reflective surface 40 being shaded by other areas of the primary reflective surface 40.
To facilitate the proper positioning of light source, or LED structure, 30 with respect to lens element 10, lens element 10 preferably includes mounting posts 64, 66 for aligning and positioning the lens element 10 with respect to the light source 30. LED structures, such as those preferably used in conjunction with the present invention, typically include indents 68 and 70 formed in the base portion 36 of the LED structure 30. (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Mounting posts 64, 66 extend from opposite sides of the input surface 12 from positions equidistant from the center thereof and are transversely centered with respect to the element 10. Posts 64 and 66 are spaced by a distance corresponding to the distance between inner-most portions of indents 68 and 70.
The lens element 10 and light source 30 are coupled with one another by inserting posts 64 and 66 into indents 68 and 70, respectively. Posts 64 and 66 are positioned and oriented so as to place the domed portion 38 in a centered position with respect to the primary reflective area 14 of the element 10. In other words, inserting the posts 64 and 66 into the indents 68 and 70 ensures that the LED structure 30 will be positioned on the optical axis of the bireflective lens element 10.
Two or more bireflective lens elements according to the present invention can be coupled with one another at their respective edges. A dual element optic structure is generally designated by reference number 80 in FIG. 7. Optic structure 80 includes a right bireflective lens element 82 and a left bireflective lens element 84.
Right bireflective lens element 82 includes a primary reflective area 86 having an associated primary reflective surface 88 and a direct transmitting area 90, a secondary reflective area 92 having a plurality of extracting facets 94 and associated step downs 96, and an input surface 98 with an associated light source 100 coupled with element 82 by mounting posts 102 and 104.
Similarly, left bireflective lens element 84 includes a primary reflective area 106 having an associated primary reflective surface 108 and a direct transmitting surface 110, a secondary reflective area 112 having a plurality of extracting facets 114 and associated step downs 116, and an input surface 118 with an associated light source 120 coupled with element 84 by mounting posts 122 and 124.
Right bireflective lens element 82 and left bireflective lens element 84 are joined together at a transition area 126 and define a common illumination surface 128. The left and right bireflective lens elements 82 and 84 could, however, be oriented such that their respective illumination surfaces are not coplanar with one another.
The bireflective lens element 10 of the present invention may be advantageously used in many applications in which surface illumination is required from a relatively thin profile optic structure. A bireflective lens element coupled with a light source, such as an LED, constitutes an example of the unit cell optics design approach whereby one or more optics structures and associated light sources (i.e., one or more unit cells) are constructed and arranged to accommodate lighting design requirements and/or packaging restrictions. The unit cell design approach is described in more detail in commonly owned U.S. patent application filed on Aug. 7, 1998 and entitled "Thin Light Managing System For Directing and Distributing Light From One or More Light Sources and Method For Making Optics Structures For Use in the System" the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In particular, a bireflective lens element may be used in various automotive signal lamp applications, for example, a center high mounted stop lamp ("CHMSL") or a rear combination lamp. As shown in FIG. 6, a motor vehicle 130 has a CHMSL 132 mounted in the rear window 134. The CHMSL shown incorporates twelve rectangular bireflective lens elements 10 with associated light sources (not shown) to effect an illumination signal lamp surface.
CHMSL 132 is shown mounted inside the rear window 134 on the back seat shelf. A CHMSL may, however, be mounted at a variety of locations on a vehicle, for example on the rear deck lid of the vehicle or on the roof of the vehicle. Bireflective lens elements may be incorporated into a CHMSL wherever it is mounted.
In addition, CHMSL 132 is shown with two rows of six lens element 10 stacked one above the other. Depending on the brightness of the individual light sources employed, more or less than twelve lens element/light source combinations may be used in the CHMSL. Also, the individual lens element/light source combinations may be arranged in different ways. For example, depending on styling requirements and/or vehicle packaging limitations, the CHMSL may comprise a single row of lens element/light source combinations, or it may comprise more than two rows of lens element/light source combinations.
For a CHMSL, the bireflective lens element 10 may be coupled with light dispensing projections 32 positioned adjacent the illumination surface 20 for assisting in dispersing and redirecting the second portion of input light out of and/or back into the bireflective lens element 10 (see FIGS. 2,8, and 12). Preferably, as shown in the FIGURES, the light dispersing projections 32 comprise a pillow lens element 32 having an array of pillows 136 formed on a input surface thereof. Federal traffic safety regulations require that a CHMSL be visible at points 10° left and right of the lamp and 10° above and 5° below the lamp. Accordingly, the pillow lenses 32 are specifically tailored to spread the light over this test point range. Other examples of light dispersing projections 32 may include an array of prisms and/or other geometrical shapes. In fact, the light dispersing projections 32 may be of any suitable shape or size so long as a sufficient amount of light is dispersed evenly out through the illumination surface 20 and/or redirected back into the lens element 10.
The pillow lens 32 may be tailored by varying the size of the individual pillows of the array of pillows 136 and by varying the vertical and horizontal radii of curvature of the individual pillows. Relatively small pillow lens optics are preferred as they will break up the partially collimated image of the bireflective lens element most effectively. In the preferred embodiment, the pillows are 2 mm square and have radii of curvature of 3.8 mm vertically and 2.4 mm horizontally. The parabolic equation for the surface of a pillow lens is as follows:
x=y2 /4.8 +z2 7.6,
where,
|x|<1 mm
|z|<1 mm.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, to accommodate the asymmetric upper and lower visibility requirements, the bireflective lens element 10 may be tilted upwardly at an angle "β" of approximately 2.2° with respect to pillow lens array 32.
The bireflective and/or pillow, or other, lens elements can be similarly tailored to meet other desired light pattern designs or regional visibility requirements as well.
Through computer simulation, it was found that extracting facets 42 having a width of 1 mm or larger operate more efficiently than facets having a width of only 0.5 mm if a bend radius "R" (see FIG. 4) of 0.2 mm is assumed in the simulation. The bend radius "R" is a factor introduced into the simulation to account for manufacturing tolerances and the inability to mold perfectly sharp corners between the step downs 44 and the facets 42.
Variations of the basic bireflective lens element of FIG. 2 are shown in FIGS. 9 through 13.
FIGS. 9 and 10 disclose an alternative bireflective lens 10 having the flat planar surfaces 43 disposed between the facets 42 of the preferred embodiment. The primary reflective area 14 has a cone shaped surface 41 extending from the flat base area of the direct transmitting area 16 to the illumination surface 20. In addition, the secondary reflective areas 18 are angled slightly inward to form a concave lens element 10. Finally, a lens structure 74, such as a fresnel lens, is formed onto the input surface 12 for collimating light directly through the lens element 10.
As best shown in FIG. 5, an alternative arrangement of facets are shown preferably including a reflective surface defining a compound curve for redirecting the light toward the illumination surface 20. As also shown in FIG. 5, the facets are spaced apart by adjacent flat planar surfaces 43. Alternatively, the extracting facets 42 and step downs 44 are shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 as being flat and uniformly sized and spaced throughout the facet profile. The size, shape, and orientation of the facets and/or step downs may be varied to tailor the output light in accordance with particular illumination requirements. Reflectivity of the reflective surface 40 and facets 42 may also be enhanced by a reflective coating, such as vacuum deposited aluminum.
As shown in FIG. 11, lens element 140 includes a primary reflective area 142 with a primary reflective surface 144 that is not a revolved curved or generally parabolic shaped surface but is in the form of a straight cone of angle γ, for example 45°. In addition, the input surface 146 of element 140 is not a flat surface but is formed as a light conditioning optics surface, in the illustrated embodiment, a Fresnel surface.
In FIG. 12, lens element 150 includes an output surface 152 that is not flat, but includes an array of pillows 154 formed integrally with the element 150.
In FIG. 13, lens element 160 has a primary reflective area 162 which includes a plurality of primary reflective surfaces 164 to constitute revolved curved, or generally parabolic, shaped surfaces, separated by circumferential facets 166. The embodiment of FIG. 13 is another means by which light may be provided within the shadow cast by the primary reflective area 162.
Light from a light source (not shown) enters element 160 through input surface 168. A portion of the light is reflected by total internal reflection from the primary reflective surfaces 164 toward the extracting facets 170 of the secondary reflective area 172. Another portion of the input light is transmitted directly through the direct transmission area 174 and the facets 166 of the primary reflective area 162 toward the illumination surface 176.
Facets 166 are preferably substantially parallel to illumination surface 176 but may have an angled orientation to direct the light transmitted through the facet or a curved shape to spread or focus the light transmitted through the facet.
In addition, primary reflective surfaces 164 may be conical surfaces instead of curved surfaces.
The thin bireflective lens element of the present invention provides a number of advantages in addition to its ultra thin profile and design flexibility.
The bireflective lens element achieves surface illumination efficiently, that is with a limited number of light sources. Conventional attempts to increase the efficiency of a lighting system typically have involved secondary optical treatments, or components, such as reflective cones for capturing and focusing light from a light source. Providing such secondary treatment can increase cost and complexity due to the additional components and manufacturing steps required.
The bireflective lens element achieves efficient and uniform surface illumination over a broad area with only a single point light source and the lens element. Therefore, efficiency is improved while eliminating secondary optical treatments from the lighting system.
In addition, because secondary optical treatments, such as reflective cones, are typically not necessary with a bireflective lens element, the surface behind the lens elements may be visible through the illumination surface of the lens element when the light source is off. The ability to see through the lens element when the light source is off is beneficial in some styling scenarios where it is desirable to minimize the visibility of a light system employing bireflective lens elements when the light sources are off. Similarly, by providing a colored background behind the lens elements that is the same color as the structure surrounding the lighting system, it is possible to have the lighting system blend in with its surroundings when the light sources are off.
Jenkins, David, Pagano, Robert, Griffin, Joseph A., Cote, Marie
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 10007050, | Nov 09 2015 | Enplas Corporation | Display device with surface light source having light redirecting member |
| 10024521, | Dec 17 2013 | ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH | Optical element, and assembly for emitting light |
| 10061555, | Dec 01 2009 | Method and system of controlling media devices configured to output signals to surrounding area | |
| 10088121, | Dec 27 2013 | MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GERMANY GMBH | Motor vehicle lamp having a linear or planar projection image |
| 10139072, | Apr 12 2013 | ZKW Group GmbH | Lighting unit for a vehicle headlamp |
| 10161586, | Feb 17 2017 | PO LIGHTING CZECH S R O | Light device with multiple and separate bands for motor vehicles |
| 10161591, | Aug 31 2015 | Osram Sylvania Inc.; OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc | Thin wall internal reflection light optic |
| 10209429, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Luminaire with selectable luminous intensity pattern |
| 10234615, | Feb 24 2015 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Illumination device |
| 10234616, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Simplified low profile module with light guide for pendant, surface mount, wall mount and stand alone luminaires |
| 10379278, | Mar 15 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Outdoor and/or enclosed structure LED luminaire outdoor and/or enclosed structure LED luminaire having outward illumination |
| 10408429, | Feb 29 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens for preferential-side distribution |
| 10416377, | May 06 2016 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Luminaire with controllable light emission |
| 10429565, | Nov 08 2012 | Fraen Corporation | Multi-LED/multi-chip color mixing optics |
| 10436969, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide and luminaire incorporating same |
| 10436970, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Shaped optical waveguide bodies |
| 10468566, | Apr 10 2017 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Hybrid lens for controlled light distribution |
| 10480743, | Apr 27 2017 | Valeo Lighting Hubei Technical Center Co. Ltd | Light beam adjusting device and vehicle lamp assembly |
| 10502899, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Outdoor and/or enclosed structure LED luminaire |
| 10527785, | May 06 2016 | Cree, Inc | Waveguide-based light sources with dynamic beam shaping |
| 10569693, | May 31 2017 | Grote Industries, Inc. | Electric lamp having a cover with a light guide |
| 10641452, | Aug 22 2018 | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | Vehicle illumination system having a lens with a sawtooth profile |
| 10739513, | Aug 31 2018 | RAB Lighting Inc | Apparatuses and methods for efficiently directing light toward and away from a mounting surface |
| 10775016, | Apr 04 2019 | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | Vehicle lighting system |
| 10801679, | Oct 08 2018 | RAB Lighting Inc | Apparatuses and methods for assembling luminaires |
| 10865958, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Multi-waveguide LED luminaire with outward emission |
| 10890714, | May 06 2016 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Waveguide-based light sources with dynamic beam shaping |
| 10895365, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lighting apparatus with reflector and outer lens |
| 10935199, | Jun 02 2014 | LG Innotek Co., Ltd. | Lighting device having non-planar diffuser with array of 3D elements |
| 10935211, | May 30 2014 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED luminaire with a smooth outer dome and a cavity with a ridged inner surface |
| 10938744, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Simplified low profile module with light guide for pendant, surface mount, wall mount and stand alone luminaires |
| 11070493, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Simplified low profile module with light guide for pendant, surface mount, wall mount and stand alone luminaires |
| 11073745, | Nov 07 2018 | Lumileds LLC | Illumination module |
| 11099317, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Multi-stage optical waveguide for a luminaire |
| 11112083, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optic member for an LED light fixture |
| 11169313, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide bodies and luminaires utilizing same |
| 11306879, | Jun 20 2018 | LG INNOTEK CO , LTD | Lighting module and lighting device comprising same |
| 11346994, | May 08 2018 | Automotive Lighting Italia S p A | Automotive lighting and/or signaling device |
| 11372156, | May 06 2016 | Waveguide-based light sources with dynamic beam shaping | |
| 11453452, | Jul 03 2019 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Straddled vehicle and lighting device for straddled vehicle |
| 11644157, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Luminaires using waveguide bodies and optical elements |
| 11675120, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguides for light fixtures and luminaires |
| 11719882, | May 06 2016 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Waveguide-based light sources with dynamic beam shaping |
| 6250777, | Sep 18 1998 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Double-focus lens and vehicle lamp |
| 6368159, | Dec 13 2000 | BEL FUSE LTD | Light pipe for a modular jack |
| 6447155, | Feb 18 2000 | STANLEY ELECTRIC CO , LTD | Double-stacked type lamp unit for the vehicle |
| 6469622, | Dec 11 1997 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Automobile rear combination lamp |
| 6700712, | Nov 13 2001 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Multidirectional single surface optically shaped film |
| 6764210, | Jul 19 2001 | ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD | Stop lamp for vehicles |
| 6811277, | Jul 10 2002 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lamp |
| 6899443, | May 08 2000 | LIGHT TRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC | Light module |
| 6951415, | Jul 04 2002 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lamp |
| 6989768, | Nov 06 1998 | GOODRICH CORPORATION | Recognition/anti-collision light for aircraft |
| 6991357, | Oct 10 2002 | Fer Fahrzeugelektrik GmbH | Lamp |
| 7021805, | Jul 04 2002 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lamp |
| 7073931, | Feb 10 2003 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular headlamp and optical unit |
| 7144121, | Nov 14 2003 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Dichroic beam combiner utilizing blue LED with green phosphor |
| 7152985, | Oct 11 2002 | Light Engine Limited | Compact folded-optics illumination lens |
| 7160010, | Nov 15 2005 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Light manifold for automotive light module |
| 7168839, | Sep 20 2004 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | LED bulb |
| 7172326, | Aug 19 2004 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Optical filter system employing a tilted reflector |
| 7181378, | Oct 11 2002 | Light Engine Limited | Compact folded-optics illumination lens |
| 7258473, | Mar 19 2004 | STANLEY ELECTRIC CO , LTD | Vehicle lamp |
| 7290906, | Nov 21 2003 | STANLEY ELECTRIC CO , LTD | Vehicle lamp and method of use |
| 7329029, | May 13 2003 | Light Engine Limited | Optical device for LED-based lamp |
| 7347599, | Feb 04 2003 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Etendue-squeezing illumination optics |
| 7374322, | Feb 06 2002 | Odelo GmbH | Center high mounted stop lamp including leds and tir lens |
| 7377671, | Feb 04 2003 | Light Prescription Innovators, LLC | Etendue-squeezing illumination optics |
| 7401948, | Oct 17 2005 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Near field lens having reduced size |
| 7401963, | Dec 22 2004 | Odelo GmbH | Light module with rearside introduction of light for simulation and/or as supplement of conventional light piping rods |
| 7410274, | Mar 04 2005 | STANLEY ELECTRIC CO , LTD | Light guiding unit, light guiding unit assembly, and lamp comprising the same |
| 7437050, | Jun 11 2004 | Valeo Vision | Lighting and/or signalling device with optical guide for a motor vehicle |
| 7438454, | Nov 29 2005 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Light assembly for automotive lighting applications |
| 7445359, | Jan 26 2007 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Optical lens and light emitting diode using the same |
| 7452114, | Dec 19 2003 | Valeo Vision | Signalling or lighting apparatus, in particular for a motor vehicle |
| 7460985, | Jul 28 2003 | Light Prescriptions Innovators LLC | Three-dimensional simultaneous multiple-surface method and free-form illumination-optics designed therefrom |
| 7488089, | Apr 22 2005 | SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO , LTD | Optical package, optical lens and backlight assembly having the same |
| 7489453, | Nov 15 2005 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Side emitting near field lens |
| 7506988, | Feb 03 2005 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Illumination apparatus and image-taking apparatus |
| 7554742, | Apr 17 2007 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Lens assembly |
| 7564070, | Nov 23 2005 | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | Light emitting diode device having a shield and/or filter |
| 7581854, | Feb 10 2006 | 9609385 CANADA INC | Light emitting and receiving device |
| 7614768, | Oct 28 2004 | Delphi Technologies, Inc | Vehicle light |
| 7616849, | Mar 23 2005 | Illuminating devices including uniform light distribution, multiple light sources, and multiple types of light sources | |
| 7618163, | Apr 02 2007 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Light-directing LED apparatus |
| 7658515, | Apr 22 2005 | SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO , LTD | Optical package, optical lens and backlight assembly having the same |
| 7744246, | May 08 2000 | Farlight LLC | Portable luminaire |
| 7753561, | May 13 2003 | Light Engine Limited | Optical device for LED-based lamp |
| 7798675, | Aug 11 2006 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | LED luminance-enhancement and color-mixing by rotationally multiplexed beam-combining |
| 7798681, | Aug 14 2007 | Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc. | Light guide block and related illumination device and backlight module having the same |
| 7806547, | Jul 14 2006 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Brightness-enhancing film |
| 7837350, | Oct 16 2007 | Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc. | Light emitting diode illuminating device |
| 7841750, | Aug 01 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Light-directing lensing member with improved angled light distribution |
| 7873257, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof |
| 7967477, | Sep 06 2007 | SIGNIFY NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION | Compact optical system and lenses for producing uniform collimated light |
| 7976192, | Feb 06 2008 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Remotely lit optical signature lamp |
| 7991261, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof |
| 8075147, | May 13 2003 | SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR CO , LTD | Optical device for LED-based lamp |
| 8090453, | Aug 23 2005 | Method and system of controlling media devices configured to output signals to surrounding area | |
| 8136967, | Mar 02 2008 | LUMENETIX, INC | LED optical lens |
| 8152339, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Illumination device |
| 8220959, | May 08 2000 | Farlight LLC | Highly efficient luminaire having optical transformer providing precalculated angular intensity distribution and method therefore |
| 8251547, | Nov 07 2007 | Enplas Corporation | Emission device, surface light source device and display |
| 8328403, | Mar 21 2012 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light guide illumination devices |
| 8333488, | Jan 17 2007 | ACF FINCO I LP | Optical assembly having primary reflector and secondary reflector |
| 8348475, | May 23 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens with controlled backlight management |
| 8360615, | May 08 2000 | Farlight LLC | LED light module for omnidirectional luminaire |
| 8388193, | May 23 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens with TIR for off-axial light distribution |
| 8393777, | Jul 28 2005 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Etendue-conserving illumination-optics for backlights and frontlights |
| 8419232, | Jul 28 2005 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Free-form lenticular optical elements and their application to condensers and headlamps |
| 8434892, | Mar 30 2011 | VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S R O | Collimator assembly |
| 8439529, | Oct 29 2004 | OSRAM OLED GmbH | Lighting device, automotive headlights and method for producing a lighting device |
| 8616746, | Nov 18 2008 | Nittoh Kogaku K K; KOIKE, YASUHIRO | Optical element and light-emitting device |
| 8631787, | Jul 28 2005 | Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC | Multi-junction solar cells with a homogenizer system and coupled non-imaging light concentrator |
| 8657467, | Sep 24 2004 | EPISTAR CORPORATION | Illumination apparatus |
| 8657479, | Mar 21 2012 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light guide illumination devices |
| 8696173, | Jun 08 2011 | GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC | Low profile lamp using TIR lens |
| 8814391, | Sep 20 2010 | LUXINGTEK, LTD | Light guiding structure |
| 8885995, | Feb 07 2011 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light-guide solar energy concentrator |
| 8944651, | May 23 2007 | Lumileds LLC | Vehicle light |
| 9040808, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof |
| 9071911, | Aug 23 2005 | Method and system of controlling media devices configured to output signals to surrounding area | |
| 9156511, | Nov 03 2011 | Lumileds LLC | LED rear lamp, in particular for a bicycle |
| 9291320, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Consolidated troffer |
| 9297508, | Aug 25 2011 | KOITO MANUFACTURING CO , LTD | Vehicular lamp |
| 9328885, | Jan 30 2013 | STANLEY ELECTRIC CO , LTD | Vehicle lighting unit |
| 9329322, | Apr 17 2012 | Enplas Corporation | Luminous flux control member, light emitting apparatus, and illuminating apparatus |
| 9335530, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Planar solar energy concentrator |
| 9337373, | May 01 2007 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light-guide solar module, method of fabrication thereof, and panel made therefrom |
| 9366396, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide and lamp including same |
| 9366799, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide bodies and luminaires utilizing same |
| 9389367, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide and luminaire incorporating same |
| 9423096, | May 23 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lighting apparatus |
| 9442243, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Waveguide bodies including redirection features and methods of producing same |
| 9464782, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Light panel, optical assembly with improved interface and light panel with improved manufacturing tolerances |
| 9464783, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Concentrated photovoltaic panel |
| 9476570, | May 23 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens with controlled backlight management |
| 9519095, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguides |
| 9523479, | Jan 03 2014 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lens |
| 9541257, | Feb 29 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens for primarily-elongate light distribution |
| 9541258, | Feb 29 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Lens for wide lateral-angle distribution |
| 9557465, | May 21 2013 | PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO , LTD | Illuminator |
| 9581751, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide and lamp including same |
| 9595627, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Photovoltaic panel |
| 9625634, | May 30 2014 | BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD. | Light conducting device, backlight module and display device |
| 9625636, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide bodies and luminaires utilizing same |
| 9625638, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide body |
| 9638383, | Sep 26 2013 | Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.; HYUNDAI MOBIS CO , LTD | Lamp device for vehicle |
| 9657918, | May 23 2008 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Light fixture with wide-angle light distribution |
| 9690029, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguides and luminaires incorporating same |
| 9714756, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Illumination device |
| 9732938, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Illumination panel |
| 9733412, | Feb 24 2014 | BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.; BOE OPTICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. | Light guide and lighting device with parallel light source |
| 9798072, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical element and method of forming an optical element |
| 9804318, | Sep 27 2013 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Lighting device |
| 9823408, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Optical waveguide and luminaire incorporating same |
| 9864111, | Nov 20 2013 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Optical element and optical device |
| 9869432, | Jan 30 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | Luminaires using waveguide bodies and optical elements |
| 9920901, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lensing arrangement |
| 9960303, | Mar 15 2013 | MORGAN INNOVATION INC | Sunlight concentrating and harvesting device |
| D697664, | May 07 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lens |
| D708387, | May 07 2012 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lens |
| D718490, | Mar 15 2013 | IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC | LED lens |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 4037096, | Aug 09 1974 | American Sterilizer Company | Illuminator apparatus using optical reflective methods |
| 5046805, | Jul 16 1990 | Tapered optical waveguides for uniform energy (light) distribution including energy bridging | |
| 5197792, | Apr 21 1992 | General Motors Corporation | Illuminator device for a display panel |
| 5365412, | Jan 07 1993 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc | Low profile illuminator |
| 5434754, | Dec 27 1993 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc | Light manifold |
| 5490049, | Jul 07 1993 | Valeo Vision | LED signalling light |
| 5594424, | Sep 02 1991 | Valeo Vision | Indicating displays for motor vehicles |
| 5676453, | Apr 16 1992 | Innolux Corporation | Collimating TIR lens devices employing fluorescent light sources |
| DE9507234, | |||
| FR2558237, |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Aug 12 1998 | Breault Research Organization, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
| Oct 10 2003 | Decoma International Inc | Honeywell International Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 014709 | /0367 | |
| Oct 14 2003 | BREAULT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC | Honeywell International Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 014709 | /0367 | |
| Apr 28 2011 | Honeywell International Inc | EDGE IDEA, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026261 | /0590 | |
| May 13 2011 | EDGE IDEA, LLC | INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026306 | /0980 |
| Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
| Dec 23 2003 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jan 07 2008 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
| Mar 12 2012 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
| Jul 26 2012 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jul 26 2012 | M1556: 11.5 yr surcharge- late pmt w/in 6 mo, Large Entity. |
| Mar 10 2015 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Date | Maintenance Schedule |
| Aug 01 2003 | 4 years fee payment window open |
| Feb 01 2004 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Aug 01 2004 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
| Aug 01 2006 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
| Aug 01 2007 | 8 years fee payment window open |
| Feb 01 2008 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Aug 01 2008 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
| Aug 01 2010 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
| Aug 01 2011 | 12 years fee payment window open |
| Feb 01 2012 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Aug 01 2012 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
| Aug 01 2014 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |